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Monday, May 19, 2014

Teen Day at the RT Book Lover's Convention in New Orleans

I was not familiar with the RT Book Lover's Convention until one of the other librarians in my district mentioned that she was going. At first I didn't really understand why she was so excited. RT, romantic times, did that mean a convention about those books with hunks baring their chests on the cover? I guess that there is some of that because I saw signs advertising Harlequin romance novels in the hotel.

Actress, Liana Liberato and author, Gayle Forman talk about making the movie for Forman's book, If I Stay

Traditionally, on the Saturday of the convention, teens are invited to spend the day because there are over 100 young adult authors who participate in the panels and sessions during the week long convention. I invited the outgoing president of Bookmarked, Paris, and the incoming president of Bookmarked, Destiny to go with me. It really is a good deal because it costs over $400 to attend the full convention, but it only cost $30 for one teen and a chaperone to attend. We chose to go late in the afternoon after the giant book fair where all the authors signed books. We got to see three panels and attend the teen party where we could mingle with the authors. Unfortunately, Destiny had to leave early because she was in the school play and only got to see two panels. I was able to snag a bag full of books for her, so I will be able to hand her a nice gift when I see her back at school.